This is the first in a new series of articles where we pull together the 10 most-read Times Higher Education articles of the last calendar month.

September¡¯s highlights include: Danny Dorling on education and inequality; the top 20 universities for students¡¯ first impressions; and the shortlist for the 2014 Times Higher Education Awards - did your institution make the grade?

10. Realistic expectations keep you on the path to a PhD

Isolation is part of the experience, but peer support groups and co-working can combat loneliness

9. Tougher visa rules may affect 40 institutions

Changes could cause many to lose their licences to recruit overseas students

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8. Danny Dorling on education and inequality

Education systems in England are reinforcing divergence in wealth - we must guard against it

7. Top 20 universities for students¡¯ first impressions

As the academic year gets underway, which institutions make the best first impression on new students?

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6. Attempts to ¡®gag and silence¡¯ academics are commonplace

Marina Warner speaks out about life at the University of Essex

5. USS reforms seen as ¡®radical attack¡¯ on pensions

Scholars set to miss out on thousands in pension payments

4. No place for introverts in the academy?

In today¡¯s brave new world of university learning, are students aren¡¯t allowed to be introverted?

3. Majority of Scottish academics set to vote ¡®no¡¯ in referendum

Our exclusive poll proved to be right on the money ahead of last month¡¯s vote

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2. Times Higher Education Awards 2014 shortlist announced

Is your university a contender?

1. Parenthood and academia: an impossible balance?

Male and female scholars speak frankly about juggling parenting and research